David Feeney wins first stage of Labor preselection for Batman

Newly appointed federal minister Senator David Feeney appears to have secured preselection in the safe Lower House seat of Batman.

Former prominent minister Martin Ferguson has held the seat since the mid-1990s and is retiring at the next election.

The preselection contest has been clouded by a stoush over the party's promise to preselect women in a proportion of safe Labor seats.

Senator Feeney won the local rank-and-file ballot with 383 votes, while his main challenger, Mary-Anne Thomas, received 247 votes.

The second and final stage of the process is decided by state delegates, but Ms Thomas has withdrawn from the second stage.

Foreign minister Bob Carr says Senator Feeney would be a great addition to the Lower House.

"He's got an immensely detailed knowledge of the politics, the economies, the societies and small Pacific Island states, and that alone would distinguish him as a very worthy addition to the House of Representatives," Senator Carr said.

Senator Feeney is third on Labor's Senate ticket in Victoria.

If he is successful in the Batman preselection race, he will resign his Senate position on August 21, creating an eight-month vacancy the Victorian Labor Party would have to fill.